Viborg Hall in Denmark looks ready to lift off into the sky with its futuristic green-topped wings, but in reality they are what keep this recently completed structure firmly rooted to the ground. Combined with a variety of other interventions, including a turf roof on top of the Viborg municipality's central six-storey volume, the wings' superior insulating properties help to ensure a reasonable energy footprint. Without the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/guardian-develops-hyper-insulating-vacuum-glass/">treble-glazed surfaces</a> and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ceramic-ecooler-screen-is-a-beautiful-passive-cooling-system/">passive cooling elements</a>, it's easy to imagine how energy intensive this massive building could be, but in standard <a href="http://www.henninglarsen.com/themes/frontpage.aspx">Henning Larsen</a> style, it instead has a gentle environmental impact and blends beautifully into the verdant landscape that surrounds it.

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen is a classic example of sustainable building

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

Although it has a large footprint (over 62,000 square feet), it has a gentle environmental impact

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

This is achieved with treble-glazed surfaces that minimize solar gain

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

Passive and active cooling - including a groundwater chiller

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

Green roofs that provide superior insulation

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

As well as a rainwater harvesting and recycling system

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

Situated on a plot just outside of the Viborg town center

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

This municipal building also blends in beautifully with the surrounding verdant landscape

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Viborg Hall by Henning Larsen

Viborg Hall in Denmark looks ready to lift off into the sky with its futuristic green-topped wings, but in reality they are what keep this recently completed structure firmly rooted to the ground. Combined with a variety of other interventions, including a turf roof on top of the Viborg municipality's central six-storey volume, the wings' superior insulating properties help to ensure a reasonable energy footprint. Without the treble-glazed surfaces and passive cooling elements, it's easy to imagine how energy intensive this massive building could be, but in standard Henning Larsen style, it instead has a gentle environmental impact and blends beautifully into the verdant landscape that surrounds it.